ATLANTA — Nathan Wade is once again speaking out about the ongoing election interference case against Donald Trump and his alleged relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The full interview with CNN can be viewed in the video below, but here are a few takeaways:
'I don't believe my actions played a role'
When asked if he believes his actions played a part in getting the election interference case stalled, Wade respectfully disagreed.
He noted, in particular, that the recent motion filed to stall the case does not apply to all of the defendants in the trial.
The effort to remove District Attorney Fani Willis from the case started when an attorney representing one of the defendants in the case filed a motion asking Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to disqualify Willis and Wade. The pair were accused of improperly financially benefitting from a romantic relationship.
"I think it's an interesting strategy to try and defend your client by attacking the prosecutors involved," Wade said of the defense, later adding that "the crux of it is to slow down the inevitable."
Still, he doesn't seem blind to the fact that his relationship with Willis had some effect on the case, adding, "I do believe, though, that the timing of a personal relationship that I had was probably bad...But you don't pick and choose when those things happen"
Nevertheless, Wade said he is proud of what they were able to accomplish while he was on the case and said, in his view, the indictment speaks for itself.
'This is a very dangerous role'
Wade also clarified what would happen if Willis were to be removed from the case, explaining that it would be assigned to another.
However, whether another prosecutor would be willing to pick up the baton is a little unclear.
Wade noted that prosecuting the case was not without its dangers, pointing to threats both he and Willis have received.
It's a "very dangerous role," he noted.
Yet, he hopes that, with whatever outcome, the case will move forward. In his view, it's far too important.
"We're talking about a threat to democracy," Wade said. "This case is about democracy. It's very important to you, it's very important to me as an attorney, the rule of law is something that we all should take seriously."
He also pointed out that three of the four people who have taken plea deals are lawyers. Wade believes that's a sign of the case's strength.
"That speaks volumes to what they perceive the evidence to be," he said, after stating the DA's office should not let those individuals withdraw their pleas should Willis be removed.
'This is a new animal'
CNN also pressed Wade on whether or not he felt it was constitutional for a district attorney to put a president on trial.
"Let's look at the question in reverse," Wade replied, "Are you asking me if there is anyone who is above the law at any point in time in their life?"
He did acknowledge, though, that this is all unprecedented territory, noting that if Trump wins in November, there will certainly be lawyers attempting to figure out the legal ramifications.
Still, even if Trump serves a second term, Wade believes it is important for the case to go to trial so that voters can see the evidence in the indictment.
He also believes that just because Trump could be in the White House doesn't mean the trial will disappear.
"I don't think it looks good for the rest of the world, but I don't think there is anything that would prevent that from happening," he remarked.
As for whether Trump could be sentenced to jail time while acting as a sitting president, that all depends on the judge. As Wade pointed out, sentencing is up to the trial court, not the prosecutor.
'We should be focusing on the indictment'
Ultimately, Wade indicated, "It's a sad state of affairs when the American public gets misled and fed information that's inaccurate and causes them to go down a rabbit hole that is really irrelevant."
He noted that it's fair for some focus on his relationship with Willis, as it pertains to trust in the process and our legal institutions.
But, he added, "I think people are looking at it through a lens of what their position is."
In the end, he thinks the whole conversation has been a "distraction...a tool to stop the train to slow down the inevitable." From his viewpoint, the indictment itself is far more important.
When asked later if he felt his relationship with Willis was a mistake, he replied, "Absolutely not."
"The moment that we realized that what we were doing could probably interfere with the work we took a step back and decided to go a different route, that's what I'll say," Wade remarked.
'What has continued are the threats'
Wade also talked about how while his time on the case has ended, the threats against his life have persisted.
"There are constant threats on my life," he told CNN. "I can't possibly put into words how it feels to wake up daily and need security around me to do something as simple as go into a grocery store."
Even a simple phone call from one of his kids is enough to spark worry; adding he holds his breath every time the phone rings because he's not sure if someone has figured out where they are and decided to threaten them.
'The district attorney and I are friends'
Wade's final comments pertained to his ongoing friendship with Willis after being spotted at an election party for her just a month ago. Went to her election party to show support
"We are close friends, great friends; we will be friends for a long time to come," Wade remarked, adding there is nothing wrong with going to an election benefit or celebration for a friend.
As for that appeal to have her removed from the case entirely, Wade said that's a decision for the appeals court, adding it's best to just let the process play out.
Fulton County prosecutors recently asked the Georgia appellate court to dismiss former President Donald Trump's appeal in the election interference case.